LGBT Living Learning Community proposal rejected

The administration denied the proposal for the creation of a Living Learning Community (LLC) for queer and allied students last semester. The GUSA LGBTQ+ Inclusion team submitted the proposal, titled “Crossroads: Gender and Sexuality.” The Office of Residential Living, the Division of Student Affairs, and Dr. Todd Olson, considered the proposal to create the LLC, according to Grace Smith (COL ‘18), executive policy chair of the GUSA LGBTQ+ Inclusion team.

The inclusion team proposed the LLC to provide a space for queer and allied students to engage in dialogue about topics relating to sexuality and sexual identity. A team of five GUSA members began work on the project last September, Smith said. The proposal was formally submitted Oct. 14. The administration informed the team that the proposal had been rejected in January. The team met with Dr. Olson in late January to discuss moving forward in regards to creating the LLC, but no official further progress will be made until the next round of LLC applications next semester.

“Some of the things that the LLC would put forth couldn’t be publicly and institutionally supported at this time,” Smith said. The creation of the LLC would put it alongside other LLC’s Georgetown offers such as the French Floor, Bayit, and Justice and Diversity in Action.

“We appreciate the thoughtfulness and care that our students put into the proposal,” Dr. Olson wrote in an email to the Voice. “Through a variety of programming and resources informed by our Catholic and Jesuit mission we support all of our students in exploring their spiritual and personal identities and interests.”

Smith said that she plans to work on a petition for faculty members, staff, and students to show the demand and need for the LLC. The team will re-submit the application next semester for further consideration.